A railway operator has implemented over 150 automated water meter reading devices at its depots and stations to reduce water wastage.

Southeastern announced that this initiative aligns with its efforts to enhance sustainability.

This advanced technology now encompasses 90% of the more than 180 stations and depots managed by Southeastern throughout Kent, Sussex, and South East London.

The system collects real-time data and transmits it to a central hub for logging, which facilitates prompt detection of leaks and abnormal water usage, enabling timely repairs.

Already, this new system has permitted Southeastern to spot and address leaks at several locations, including Tonbridge Sidings, Otford, Higham, and Slade Green.

According to the company, an automatic alert at the Slade Green depot allowed for the quick repair of a concealed leak that might have otherwise taken “weeks” to find.

The collected data enables Southeastern’s sustainability team to differentiate between actual leaks and temporary increases in water consumption due to cleaning tasks or drain maintenance.

Additionally, the technology can identify issues stemming from malfunctioning toilets and uncontrolled flushing, offering the most accurate information to date.

Peter Stapleton, Head of Facilities at Southeastern, stated: “By introducing automated metering, we enhance our precision in monitoring and managing water usage.

“This initiative represents a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to reduce waste and safeguard the environment we all share.”